Elf on the Shelf Ideas {elf on}

November 25, 2011

Our Elf on the Shelf is named Max and we’ve had him out and about making mischief for a week now! I thought those of you who celebrate this fun tradition (or are planning to) might appreciate seeing some of the things our elf has done so far. For those of you wondering what the deal is with these elves that sit on shelves, the basic premise is this: The elves watch your kids and report to Santa who is naughty and who is nice. Essentially they are Santa’s spies. At night the elves come to life, play around your house, and can be found in a new location every morning. Granted, for some kiddos this tradition might be absolutely terrifying. For my boys, it’s just a fun game of pretend and they LOVE it! And I have to admit that I am loving it so far too! It’s fun coming up with something different for Max to do each day, and it only takes me a few minutes each night to throw together.

Enjoy the pics!

Max making paper snowflake chains for the other toys.

Max feeding Eowyn her food via a backhoe loader.

Max hanging upside down from our light fixture.

Max feeling a bit homesick for the North Pole and riding our reindeer.

Max resting in a tissue box with a tissue pillow. (I looked everywhere for a little teddy bear but couldn’t find one. The tiger was the best I could do. :))

Max enjoying the beach on the windowsill at my Mom’s house. Yes, we took him with us for Thanksgiving!

Max looking through a telescope at the horizon.

Max raiding the candy bowl.

Max playing with toilet paper.

Max making a “snow angel” in instant rice.

Max made us breakfast!

Max being mischievous with dry erase markers.

Max playing Heroica with some friends.

I’m looking forward to watching the TV movie tonight with the boys. Some have complained that the Elf on the Shelf is just another example of marketing to children and the over-commercialization of American culture. So be it. All I can say is that it is an absolute delight to hear little giggles each morning as Asher and Zephan discover what shenanigans Max has been up to. My boys are growing up so fast, and I am going to relish every moment that they take joy in something as simple as an elf on the shelf!

Me and my hubby have been doing this for past 5 yrs….our daughters are 9 and 4 have been talking for weeks about their elf “rosalina” ariving soon. It is sometimes stressful planning on what she will do…my husband waking in a panic…”did u move the elf?” Or me! “Where is she????” But it is so fun for the kids! This yr im gonna try to plan ahead so there isnt too much stress!

These are just cute as they can be. I also agree I don’t care what anybody thinks about marketing to children. We love our elf. I enjoy seeing how giddy and happy my five year old is each morning to see what Clyde has done. We started ours around thanksgiving also.

We have used an elf since out oldest son was a baby -we would move him around to different places too, although not near as creative as your adorable pictures -all of them are funny but Max making the pancakes is too funny.( and they are just the size he would make!) So the oldest is 26 now and the other three boys are all teenagers -they pretend they don’t care about the elf but I secretly think they enjoy the tradition . So Beth enjoy every minute of this holiday season. And thanks for capturing these great projects and photos for your readers-I always leave here motivated.

I agree with your “the over-commercialization of American culture. So be it” statement. And someone even asked me if my children were scared or worried about the elf. My response was I think it is all about how you use the elf and our elf is all about mischief, laughs, giggles and fun. See for yourself at http://elfontheshelfideas.com.

To your readers: Please don’t think your children are too old to start this tradition! My daughters are 13 and 16 and I just started this year! They think Finn is the most adorable thing ever and go out of their way to find him before they leave for school. Pranks are the best way to keep them interested…so far Finn has made a snow angel in corn meal, made miniature doughnuts for the family (cheerios plus powdered sugar/sprinkles), wrote his name in toothpaste on their vanity! They LOVE it and so does my husband! Go for it!!

When I was 7 years old (1982), our house burned down just weeks before Christmas. We decorated our rental that Christmas w/whatever people gave us. We didn’t have a star, but someone had given us an elf on the shelf (not knowing the significance); we figured he was the perfect tree topper. It was so original; we kept him & placed him @ the top of the tree-every year. It wasn’t until last year, that I heard the story of the elf on the shelf. What wonderful memories!!! 😀

I haven’t had to use any glue or tape yet. I’ve felt some elves who actually have magnetic arms and legs which would make things much easier! Mine has bendable plastic with just a little give and support. I don’t have any trouble having him sit but if I want his hands together I have to get more creative. I do have clear rubberbands that I used in the picture where he’s hanging upside down but besides that I haven’t needed to use anything…yet :).

Beth,
Thanks for the great “elf on a shelf” inspiration. I have a little girl and our elf is named Lucy – no, we could not convince our daughter that the elf was a boy. “She” has been showing up all over our house, but not as cleverly as what you created. Thanks for giving me some great ideas. Now I’ve got to take Lucy to a whole new level! – Susan, livingrichonless.com

We just introduced ours two days ago. I told her that it was coming, but I wasn’t sure how. While my husband and my daughter were gone, I unwrapped it and set the book and the elf out, at the top of our staircase, out of sight. When she went upstairs later that night, she found it.

I had an elf growing up but he was never so busy as your’s. If I recall he always sat on top of some artificial Christmas greens with his legs crossed. He had a boring existance. What great memories you’re making with your kids.

While I was watching the little Elf on the Shelf TV special with the boys, Zeph said to the TV, “The real of meaning of Christmas isn’t just believing. It’s believing in Jesus as Savior.” I think we’re good :).

Thanks! So the kids know that you move him? I don’t know how I’d reconcile that w/ my kids b/c the movie and book (I think) said if he was touched he’d lose his magic. The kids would “die” if I touch him. 🙂

When we read the book I emphasized that kids can’t move him or he’ll lose his magic but that the rule doesn’t apply to adults. They know that we are the ones who can touch Max and will even remind us to put him back on the shelf in the morning :).

We just introduced our elf yesterday. I have a question. Since the elf is not supposed to be touched or it “loses its magic” what do you do with the elf the rest of the day. The picture of the elf w/ the bulldozer. do you move the elf when the kids aren’t looking? surely it doesn’t stay there all day. Thanks

Oh, too cute! My favorite is the tissue box! That’s just priceless! For me, Elf on the Shelf is the exact opposite of commercialization; it’s all about finding joy in simple things again. It’s a precious concept. Keep having fun with it! ~Kerri

Too old???? I’m doing this for my hubby this year. All our children are living away this year and he’s a little bummed. Asked my son (21) what he thought about the idea and he said, “I wish I was going to be here.” We’re never too old for a little fun.

Beth, Hi…Hope you and your family had a joyous Thanksgiving…I look forward to seeing you on face book with all your amazing idea’s…well I love your elf he seems to be a welcome addition to your family…nothing but joy…I’ll let you in on a little secert,he puts a smile on my face to..reminds me of the things I use to do when my kids were younger…looking forward to many more ideas and elf visits ….have a bless day…Susan…

My daughter is only 1 1/2 years old, but we have an elf on the shelf and we had it last year for her first Christmas as well. She might not understand him just yet, but she will eventually! I love to move our Elf although he doesn’t get into messes just yet:)

Thanks for these cute suggestions! I didn’t grow up with lots of Christmas traditions, so I look forward to introducing our kids to memories like this, when they get old enough. (Our daughter is only 15 mos. now.) I appreciate seeing a glimpse into how another family “does” Christmas!

I love it! Our Elf, Elfin shows up on the day after Thanksgiving and it’s so fun to pose him and have the kids find him. My oldest is now 11 and knows it’s us but it’s still fun to make her smile w/the silly poses and sometimes when he hides really well she gets in on the hunt and really enjoys it! I plan on continuing w/Elfin even after my younger two figure it all out because I think it’s a wonderfully fun bonding experience for our family and I hope it will be a great memory for them one day : )

You are so funny! So cute! hummmm, nice window sill at your moms overlooking the water!!! I love the backhoe & dog food! My son enjoyed looking at the pics….and he said, where is my elf? I need to unpack him tomorrow! 🙂 Hope you had a good thanksgiving!

Thank you for sharing your pictures. When I first heard of the Elf, I thought of it as just another way for moms to manipulate their kids to behave… but you’ve given me another perspective. My over-imaginative boys would have loved this when they were young. (don’t think their young-adult minds would be amused now. lol!) But I am sending your link to my sister who has little ones at home. 🙂

I ordered my daughter’s from Target a week or so ago. It was priced at $29.99, it came with the elf and the story book. I also ordered a little skirt to go with it to make our elf a girl. 🙂 This will be our first year and I think she’s going to love it!

Memories are made up of exactly these types of moments you are choosing to make! Max the Elf will be remembered their entire lives. I think it’s fantastic!! I only wish my Austin was young enough to do this for 😉

Have fun and enjoy those children. Things like that elf are what make memories. We had a stretchy Steve Irwin doll (The Crocodile Hunter) years ago and we played hide and seek with that thing for a year. My daughter is 16 and still talks about it.

For those that think there kids are to old, NOT true. Mine have had a blast taking turns every other night. I love the creativity they have put into. I wake up delight to see what Tiny Tim has been up to!!!!!

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